I just took my Prius in for its 5,000 mile oil change and tire rotation. They charged too much, but guess you "gotta do it".. Anyway, prior to the checkup, I was, at best, getting about 48 mpg. Next tank of gas, I got 50 mpg. And on the 250 miles I've gone on this next tank, I'm averaging 52. Each tank has included some around town running the kids here and there, plus a little highway driving. It does seem that I've reached the first "breaking in" period, and I'm seeing noticeable improvement.
While I agree that most folks see a MPG improvement near the 5k mark, it isn't something that typically happens overnight (from one tank to the next). Way too many variables to accept one tank of MPG as being relevant. That said... good for you! Obviously something is happening in your favor.
To add on to your excitement, mpg will keep increasing with mileage. I'm at 40,000 miles and mpg went from 45mph (break in period) to 53mpg. However, during this winter mpg will of course suffer a bit.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dulcimer @ Oct 10 2006, 10:00 PM) [snapback]330960[/snapback]</div> Maybe your tires were low? I'd never expect that just changing oil would do much of anything for mileage, unless it was the bad old days, and you had 20w50 in there and switched to 5W30.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dulcimer @ Oct 10 2006, 10:00 PM) [snapback]330960[/snapback]</div> How much did they charge? I just had mine in for the 5000 mile oil change and tire rotation, and the dealership charged $48 with tax and shop costs. Tom
If all you want to do is tire rotation and balance, try America's Tire Co. They charge $25 to do all four and no appointment necessary. Tires.com for locations Best deal around, plus if you buy the tires from them you get LIFETIME tire rotation and balance and free flat fixes. I love them!
has anyone tried a jiffy lube or anything like that? they always did a good job on my audi tt. in a city like san francisco where there are tons of prius's I would assume they see quite a few.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Oct 11 2006, 10:16 AM) [snapback]331211[/snapback]</div> But the oil change would be at least ~ $25 more, so the rotation/oil change is about standard for a dealer. I only had the dealer do the rotation once. Les Scwhab does free rotations. Rebalancing shouldn't be necessary if not removed from the rims. Dave M. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aforonda @ Oct 11 2006, 10:37 AM) [snapback]331225[/snapback]</div> I used Jiffy Lube for my last oil change in Spokane, but they didn't reset the Maintenance Required light. You could do that yourself, of course. Dave M.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aforonda @ Oct 11 2006, 12:37 PM) [snapback]331225[/snapback]</div> I've used jiffy lube and similar places a number of times. No problems that I can detect after 115,000 miles. I even used WalMart before, but now they say they won't change oil in Priuses anymore.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JeffG @ Oct 11 2006, 02:24 PM) [snapback]331260[/snapback]</div> Jiffy Lubes in the SE don't do tires at all...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 10 2006, 07:10 PM) [snapback]330965[/snapback]</div> I'm now on the third tank since... still over 51 mpg. Someone asked about tire pressure. I'd already upped that to 40/38, when we first got the car. And you say it's still going to get better? We're thinking seriously about that 2008 model though, if they get the mpg they're talking about.
